Jana: Re: New Road to Walk

[Guest guest]

> > > Hello everyone. Haven't posted in a few days as once again, I

> > needed

> > > a cancer break and couldn't really talk about all the things

that

> > > have been going through my mind. Tried to answer a few posts

> today

> > > and thought I'd fill everyone in real quickly (LOL...as if I

> could

> > > ever do that) on what's been happening with my mom. I know

this

> is

> > a

> > > colon cancer group, but I consider you all part of my extended

> > family

> > > and I've kept you posted all along on the fact that I'm dealing

> > with

> > > Bert's colon cancer and mom's lung cancer, that I feel

> comfortable

> > > speaking about her with you folks. Hope no one minds...but

> > sometimes

> > > I think cancer's cancer...ugly and devastating no matter how

you

> > > slice it.

> > >

> > > Anyway, as you all know, Bert is doing well (thank God). Mom

is

> > > another story. For my mama, the writing is basically on the

> wall.

> > > Results are in, have been reviewed, and diagnosis

is " metastatic

> > lung

> > > cancer that is progressive " pretty much says it all. Not only

is

> > the

> > > tumor that was 1.4 cm back is December still there, it is now

1.7

> > cm

> > > and a brand new tumor that is 4 cm has also come about, which

is

> > > extremely rapid and aggressive growth. There is much

hyperbolic

> > > activity around both of these tumors as well as other parts of

> her

> > > right lung, although no tumor evidene is present. Oncs

> > > recommendation is that she go, and she will go into a clinical

> > trial,

> > > phase II, starting April 23. They are testing a brand new drug

> > > called MAC-something or other (I'll get the exact name later)

and

> > is

> > > specifically geared towards lung cancer. The purpose of the

drug

> > is

> > > for those who have failed platinum based chemotherapy, which

she

> > > basically has because even though her treatment with chemo

worked

> > > wonders on her old tumor, blasting it to smitherines, it

> obviously

> > > did not kill metastasis for if it had, I wouldn't be writing

this

> e-

> > > mail. What they have discovered is that in lung cancer, many

> > tumors

> > > do not absorb the platinum, which is designed to kill

> > them....almost

> > > if you will, the tumor will absorb it and then " spit " it out.

> This

> > > MAC-XXX drug is geared towards making tumors retain the chemo

> that

> > > they absorb, thus working from the inside out. She will not be

> > given

> > > any placebo...but will be given the actual drug.

> > >

> > > I am quick to add that all side effects are not yet known, but

> from

> > > what they do know, it's a chemo therapy drug and therefore, you

> can

> > > pretty much count on one or many of the usual side

> effects....with

> > > maybe a few more thrown in. Additionally, and as I'm sure you

> too

> > > well know, there are no guarantees that it will even help my

mom

> in

> > > any way. But the good thing is, they will do a complete work-

up,

> > > including all scans in six weeks, after she has had the drug

> twice,

> > > and if no change is detected, they will take her off (why give

> her

> > > the poison if it isn't working). The actual treatment plan is

> six

> > > treatments over a period of 3 week cycles (once every 3

> weeks....18

> > > weeks total)....but again, it works pretty quick, if at all, so

> if

> > > nothing is detected in six weeks that shows any improvement,

she

> > will

> > > be taken off. At that point, we can research with the help of

> her

> > > oncologist for another clinical trial or put her on Irrissa, a

> new

> > > lung cancer drug approved by the FDA January 2004. Any way you

> > slice

> > > it, it's come down to quality time...which could be years and

> could

> > > be months. I am hoping for the first and not the later. Mama

is

> > > begin to feel shortness of breath in that she really can't walk

> > very

> > > far or exert herself very much without it becoming a little

> > difficult

> > > to breath. This is her cancer, and nothing else. It breaks my

> > heart

> > > to see this. We are talking about a woman who is fiercely

> > > independent and full of life or the three " V's " if you

> will....vim,

> > > vigor, and vitality. And it bothers her tremendously....I can

> tell.

> > >

> > > We did a lot of talking this weekend, my mother and I and got

> > things

> > > pretty clear. She remains optimistic and is very much still of

> the

> > > mind set that she will do whatever it takes to continue

fighting

> > this

> > > disease. My mama is one heck of a woman and I only wish and

pray

> > > that I have one quarter of her dignity, compassion, and

strength.

> > >

> > > Hugs to all,

> > > Monika

> >

> >

> > Hi Monika,

> > I haven,t posted in a while, and I just read your post...Sweetie

> > don,t you realize you do have your mom,s dignity, compassion and

> > strength...You have been taking care of your mom and your husband

> so

> > these things you do have definitely you just don,t see it

> now...Your

> > spirit has been broken..but in a couple day,s or so you will be

> right

> > back on your feet mad, ready to fight again...I know you will.. I

> > will keep you and your mom and husband in my prayers...I am

sending

> > you a great big ((((((((((((cyberhug)))))))))))))) I wish I could

> be

> > there to hug ya myself....Love ya Jana